Analysis of maize farmers perception of climate change and adaptation strategies adopted in Northern Guinea Savannah Of Kaduna State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined the perception of climate change and adaptation strategies of maize farmers in Northern Guinea Savannah of Kaduna State, Nigeria. Multistage sampling procedure was used to select 224 maize farmers for the study. Data were collected from the respondents with the aid of structured questionnaire using interview schedule. The Data were analysed using descriptive statistics (frequency counts, percentages, ranking and weighted means). Results revealed that 45% of the respondents were not more than 30 years of age with a mean age of 31 years with majority (90%) of them being male with about 80% of them having formal education. Findings of the study also shows that 38% and 34% of the respondents had maize farming experience of between 21-30 years and 11-20 years, respectively. Almost all (99%) of the respondents are practicing subsistence farming with inheritance as the major source of land acquisition. Fellow farmers (68%) and farmers’ associations (28%) were the main sources of information used by the respondents. Perception of main indicators of climate change were unusual rainfall (X=3.4), late onsets of Harmatan period ( X =3.2) and decrease in crop yield ( X =3.1) while main adaptation strategies employed by the respondents included use of improved varieties (X =3.52), use of organic manure (X =3.39), and, early planting (X =3.37). The study found that farmers are hesitating to use most adaptation strategies in order to improve their maize production. The study recommends increasing proper awareness on climate change issues and realistic adaptation strategies to the farmers by relevant governmental and non-governmental support.